Texas hosts Tampa Bay in Memorial Day American League Showdown
On Memorial Day, Major League Baseball heads to the Lone Star State for a showdown in the American League when the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Texas Rangers. The current line has Texas slightly favored at -120, Tampa Bay at +100 and the over/under run total on 9.5.
Entering this game, Tampa Bay has a record of 27-26 overall and 11-13 on the road. The Rays are 6-4 in their past 10 games played. Texas has a record of 25-26 overall and 16-8 at home. The Rangers are 4-6 in their past 10 games played.
Texas ended a disappointing road trip on Sunday in Toronto with a win of 3-1 over the Blue Jays. Joey Gallo hit his 15th home run and strong pitching helped Texas to the win.
However, the Rangers road trip was just 3-6. Since posting a winning streak of 10-games, the Rangers have won just 2 of their past 8. The Rangers will evaluate Adrian Beltre following his 3 rehab games and he could debut on Monday for the season.
Tampa Bay needed 15 innings to beat Minnesota on Sunday thanks to consecutive home runs from Evan Longoria followed by Logan Morrison. The Rays won 2 of the 3 games over the weekend against the Twins. In May, Tampa Bay has won 8 of 11 games on the road.
Tampa Bay will send Erasmo Ramirez to the mound on Monday. The Rays right-hander is 3-0 with an ERA of 2.92 this season. Texas will counter with Martin Perez. The Rangers left-hander is 2-5 with an ERA of 3.77.
Ramirez allowed two runs in both of his past two starts after returning to Tampa Bay’s starting rotation. He threw 15 pitches in Sunday’s win over the Twins in relief.
Ramirez has 11 appearances versus Texas during his career with four being starts. His career record versus Texas is 0-1 with an ERA of 5.72.
Perez in April was 1-4 with an ERA of 4.26, but during May improved to 1-1 with an ERA of 3.16 for the Rangers. Last Wednesday he had a no-decision against Boston allowing 6 hits and 3 runs.
Tampa Bay is 4-1 in its past 5 games on the road.
Texas is 9-1 in its past 11 games after a victory.
Prediction: Texas pitching will quiet Tampa Bay’s bats. Lean toward the home team here.
